The Fight to Light is Fierce

So it is Saturday...I got to sleep in today....which was good!  After my long night last night...I needed some rest!

However, I was attacked today by the Hungrys!!!  So...here is what I have learned over the past year...When I eat sugar...in any form...i.e. Margaritas last night...I am STARVING the next day!!! 

So of course, today...I have wanted to eat and eat badly!  So sucks!  Here is the truth...these first couple weeks of Year 2 are starting out a little rough! 

I am still working hard...but am just battling a little boredom with my diet!  I really don't want to admit that...but it is true!

So...as I struggle with the beginning of year Two...I must dig a little deeper and work on regaining that unexpected Will Power that I have had throughout Year 1.  I so wanted the "struggle" to be easier this year...and the truth is...at times...it actually seems harder...Keeping the intense motivation, the inspiration, the drive..is proving a little difficult...O.K. a lot difficult over the past two weeks.

So...here I am...posting my truth here...hoping that the strength that comes from telling the truth...being accountable to all of you...leaving a permanent recording of the things I need help with...somehow continues to be the driving force I need to Forge On...

Life is so much different from a year ago and I know that there is so much that lies ahead...so many new experiences...AND...I am just feeling Stuck.  Oh...it is a much different kind of stuck from a year ago...but it is still STUCK!!! 

So..I am at a bit of a loss...Just writing rather aimlessly in hopes that what I need to say makes the page! 

Here is what I am focusing on tonight....Each day is a new day....A new opportunity to move through the stuck  parts  and a new opportunity to embrace the lessons to be learned.

As I face the fact that I still have a long way to go...I am grateful that I have come this far and somewhere in this fog of struggle...I have the experience and the HOPE that I have come this far and that with God's help...I can in fact, reach my goal.

So....this is another Gut Check for me!  This IS a Journey...not a road trip...or a stroll...but a Journey!

I have to work hard to reach my goal.  I have to trust my experience and I have to stay Fortified in Faith!!!

I have a approximately 55 more pounds to lose.  I will meet this goal!!!! I know it is possible  because I lost 65+ lbs in the last year.  I just have to BELIEVE it with the same heart and strength that I have had in the last 12 months.

That heart and strength came from a perfect combination of great inspiration, love and support of friends and family and the unfailing Love of Christ! 

I am still trying to find that Recombobulation Area!!! 

The Life of the Fluffy Girl continues...The Fight to Light is fierce!!!  I want to win this battle!!!

Phil: 4:13

Back to the Business of Defluffing!

Hello friends of the Fluffy Girl...It is REALLY late!!!  I typically try to blog a little earlier on Fridays...but today was uber busy and I had to scoot early from work so that I could catch Emily's 1st 7th Grade volleyball tournament!

Please hear me say that these 7th grade girls are better than we were in High School!! WTH!

Seriously, these girls are setting and spiking (or at least making every effort to do so) at 12 and 13 years old...I could barely walk and chew gum at that age!  The Fluffy Girl felt old watching the game...It was one of those "These kids today" moments!  I am never quite prepared for those...but I find that they are happening more and more often...

So after the game...Donna and I did what any self respecting middle-aged, overwhelmed, hormonal woman would do...we had margaritas!!!  Now here  is the deal...Margaritas are horribly fattening but wonderfully tasty...something that I do not partake of often...However, I made the executive decision to use my "cheat" on frozen lime deliciousness...with a side of tequila!  A very rare  occurrence for me...but....It did not suck!

Here is part 2 to  that story...tomorrow...when I am attempting to workout...I will be sweating like Niagara Falls...It will be profoundly ugly!  But with every good cheat moment...comes the reality of a workout to 'redeem" my poor behavior!

For those of  you that have ever imbibed too much and then tried to work out the next  day...you know what happens...for those that have not...the  sweat output is HUGE!!! A very unattractive side effect and a primary reason why I don't drink much!!! 

But if confession is good for the soul...then I must admit...that it was nice to just let me my proverbial hair down...enjoy myself and NOT be hyper-vigilant about everything I put in my mouth!

AND it was just a couple of hours of one day!!!  Not a daily event!  Though I must admit..the thought of HOW MANY calories I consumed tonight is frightening!!! 

So back on track tomorrow...Hair back up and Attitude adjusted!!!  Back to work!!!  Back to the Business of Defluffing...With a positive attitude and the  knowledge that I am on a mission!!!  A mission that is leading me down a healthy, happy path! 

So here is to an overly sweaty Saturday...a continuation of this Journey and a "cheat" used and enjoyed!

To my friend Donna....We still got it!!!  Not too bad for a couple of old broads!!!

Goodnight!

Desperately Seeking Recombobulation

DISCOMBOBULATED!!!  That is me today...Part migraine hangover...part busy at work...part hormonal female...part struggling Fluffy Girl = DISCOMBOBULATION!

Cursing ALERT!

In other words...I can't seem to find my ass with both hands!!!  And that is almost impossible!!!

Do you ever just have those days...those days when you cannot exactly pinpoint what is not right...but know that something is just off!! 

If not...You are my IDOL!!!  If you have...then you know what I am talking about...that slightly off...stumbling around kind of feeling with no alcohol or substance involved!

So yesterday...was a lost day...and although those are fewer and farther between...I so dislike days like yesterday!  I made an attempt to try and decipher what a day like yesterday teaches me...what the lesson is and what gift may come from it!  I am never sure...I suppose it could be argued that the Migraine stops me in my tracks and forces me to rest...I suppose the fact that I actually stop...gives me the time to ponder those kinds of life lesson questions...Or I suppose it could just provide me the time to watch (listen) to and ponder why Honey Boo Boo is famous!  Regardless...I did not come up with any genius answers to any of those questions...But the good news is...What does not kill you makes you stronger!!  At least I hope that is the case!

So as I sit here this afternoon...I am searching desperately for the:

 

 

A Facebook friend posted this the other day and thought to myself then...I will soooo be able to use this some day!!!  TODAY is the day!!!!

 

I am looking for the Recombobulation AREA!!! 

 

A. I did not know that there was such a place

 

B.  It appears that it exists in the Airport

 

C.  Do I have to be traveling to go through this area?

 

D. Does it HURT?

 

E.  Is there an APP for it I can download?

 

AND FINALLY...

 

F. Why is nobody using it!!!!

 

 

So...there you have it!!!  I am a Tired...Hungry...Head achy...Hormonal...Fluffy girl desperately seeking Recombobulation....Wonder what kind of calls I would get if I put THAT on Craigslist????

 

On a slightly serious note...I am having my food struggles...I am struggling with the fact that I am STILL struggling and when I have pain...I want to eat! 

 

So please keep me in your prayers...Pray for Peace and Recombobulation! 

 

Hugs to all...Jaime

 



 

The Token Post

Hello to all... Tonight's post is kind of a token post...just so I don't break my streak. ..
Today is a Migraine Day...feeling really sick.

Please keep me in your prayers!  I will take this day in stride and look forward to a better day tomorrow.

Goodnight

Slow My Roll and Get Some Sleep

I was unceremoniously re-introduced  to the Concept II Rower this evening!  Part of my "new" workout program is to do 3 sets of fast paced rowing then followed by additional cardio...

Please know that after tonight...I again, have found a new piece of equipment to demonize!!! O.M.G..

When I do something new that completely kicks my butt...I find myself  feeling a bit overwhelmed and tonight...feeling a little defeated.  I am not sure why...I completed the workout...but I  was just absolutely exhausted! My legs felt like jelly afterwards...So...I finished what I could of the workout...which was a total workout of about 45 minutes. 

BEFORE my workout though..I met my new 5th and 6th grade volleyball team!  I am coaching again...Without my Emily...but I am still looking forward to coaching!  My girls are really quite young and only 2 of them have ever played organized volleyball before....So we will all have lots of learning opportunities.

I know that I will be blessed by the experience...I am already...the fact that I again...get to be actively  involved in my community AND play a little volleyball!! Can't be anything but a blessing! 

So despite my tough workout...despite feeling a little whipped by the Concept II...I know that today is  one step further along in this Journey and I will learn from it! 

I am really tired tonight and I need to stop this crazy brain of mine...Slow my Roll and get some sleep!

Tomorrow is another day in this brand new Year 2!  I can only imagine what blessings lie ahead!

Goodnight and Sweet Dreams!

The Death of a Cereal Killer

HELLOOOO!  I hope everyone has enjoyed  this Labor Day weekend and that you all had plenty of time to enjoy family, friends, rest and relax!!! 

Today, was a good day!  Got up fairly early and went to walk with my friend Deb...who I have not seen in a lifetime.  Except we did not walk...but instead TALKED!!!  Something that I have always LOVED doing with her!!! She is absolutely hilarious...and is a wonderful OVERCOMER!!! 

I met her when I was still in college...I went to work for a mortgage company while on break  from school...Worked with some great people...some really funny people...so I think it is quite a blessing to get to sit down with her 20+ years later and talk about life!!! 


Another one of those great God moments...Funny enough...she lives less than 20 minutes from me...so she is going to be a new walking partner!!! Nice!!! 

So...After a full day of visiting...I managed to squeeze in a nap before getting ready for work tomorrow!!

But...tonight...I want to discuss an issue...A Cereal Issue....I love cereal...especially as a late night snack....I come by it naturally.  My whole life I have memories of getting up during the night and seeing the shadow of my grandmother sitting at the breakfast table have a "midnight" bowl of cereal...Either that OR she would have a bowl of cereal right before she went to bed!!

Regardless...I am my grandmother's grand daughter!!  I like a bowl of late night cereal...Which leads me to this...I am a Serial "Cereal" Eater...A Cereal Killer so to speak...I can "kill" a bowl of cereal in 5 minutes!!  Gulp! 

When I started this Journey...I knew....deep down inside that late night cereal was No Bueno!!!  And I realized that if I was going to tackle this weight loss...I could no longer be a "Cereal Killer"!!!!

Well...kicking the habit has been an uphill battle...I generally have done really well...but lately...Lately...I have gone back to my "killing" ways...

Now...Instead of slaughtering a bowl of Frosted Flakes though...I am attacking a bowl of Kellogg's Special K (Special Killer) Honey and Oat Flakes...Geezer Flakes!!! 

I have to stop...late night cereal is a no-no....It is Fluffy Girl's nightmare...or at least it is for the FG!

So...I am attempting to cut myself off...mend my evil Cereal Killing ways and give myself a Cereal Death Penalty...NO MORE CEREAL.

It is just one of those foods that I cannot have!  It may sound odd to some of you...but...throughout this entire Journey...I have mentally made a list of foods that I cannot have...that are  just dangerous overeating foods!!! 

So as a part of tackling year two....Sorry Kellogg's...but this girl has got to stop!!! 

I must find a new snack to fill my beloved cereal's shoes...I must get back to my almond butter and banana snack...or grapes...but NO MORE CEREAL...

Insert Musical interlude here "Taps"

So...clearly I have my continuing food battles to overcome!!!  I can beat this Cereal addiction!!!  :))

Cheerio!!!!

A Graceful Winner

Hi there...it has been a lovely Sunday.  We went to church at a different church today...Faithbridge UMC...I love their music and every once in a while I like to mix it up a bit...keep things interesting!

Good sermon.  Great music thanks to Lizi Bailey! Got to see a friend I have not seen in a while!  Good way to start the day!

A scripture was read this morning that really resonated with me...These words:

"God opposes the proud but gives Grace to the humble. "

Really stuck in my brain. ..

I am a competitive person. Not crazy competitive. ..but I don't mind winning.

I learned playing sports that there is a very fine line at times, between confidence and arrogance.  I learned early to respect a humble winner...and often found myself not so fond of the prideful...boastful winner.

Yesterday, while watching some highlights of a major college football game...I saw a display from a very young, very talented athlete that really turned my stomach. ..a display of boastful pride that made me hope that someone in his life will stand up and remind him that a graceful winner is an honored winner...a respected winner.

As I was thinking about that this morning, I was reminded that I want to exhibit a grace as I overcome my daily challenges. I want to stay out of my prideful self and stay in my humility. 

I think that God intended for me to have the opportunity to stand face to face with a graceful winner.  A winner in the sports world (something I love and appreciate) so that I could "see" that kind of grace in action...so that I could be reminded of daily grace...of grace-filled humility at the very top of the food chain. . So to speak!

As you all know...the opportunity to experience that with Kerri was a pivotal moment in my Journey. ...A Gigantic God Moment!

In the past...my pride truly came before the fall for me.  My pride paralyzed me...kept me from reaching out in humility and accepting God's Grace.
I often refused to "try" for fear of failure. ..fear of losing my dignity. ..my pride.

God has given me SO many opportunities to be humble and to experience Grace over the past year. He met me where He knew I would be most impacted and presented me with living, breathing examples!

As I continue this Journey, I will still have multiple opportunities to let go of my pride and embrace humility as a powerful, grace giving emotion that will lead to a heathier, happier life!

Blessings!